The NBA Eastern Conference finals are funny. The Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons are so evenly matched, it appears, that day-to-day nuances throw everything out of whack, sometimes resulting in lopsided scores.

Without a player of LeBron James' magnitude to contend with in the NBA Eastern Conference finals, the Boston Celtics must now confront a well-rounded, championship-tested team loaded with capable veterans and a talented coaching staff.

Paging Lew Alcindor, Mr. Lew Alcindor This must be mentioned first as a disclaimer, before the UCLA bashing can begin. Advancing to three consecutive Final Fours is an extraordinary feat, and if there are any questions, count the other schools that have done it lately. For the past 40 years, you won't need more than one hand.

The two teardrops tattooed under Larry Hughes' left eye are symbolic of the scripted message, "I am my brother's keeper," on the right side of his neck. The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard has several tattoos on his body that express the memory of his younger brother, Justin, who was born with a defective heart and died at 20 in May 2006. Compared to that emotional pain, Hughes is finding it less difficult to deal with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot.

"Rise Up" has been the theme and rallying cry of what has become the most successful season in Cleveland Cavaliers history. The once-downtrodden franchise has risen higher than ever by defeating the Detroit Pistons for the NBA Eastern Conference title and makes its first trip to the league finals and a matchup against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.

A year after taking the Detroit Pistons to seven games in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers entered Game 5 of the conference finals Thursday night in a similar position after tying the best-of-seven series 2-2.

It's not often the Detroit Pistons get caught with their guards down. But Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton know they must play better Thursday night in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals if the Pistons are going to put pressure on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rookie Daniel Gibson was an unsung hero in the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 3 victory against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Eastern Conference finals. Now he could play a prominent role the remainder of the series. Larry Hughes, the starting point guard, suffered a plantar fascia strain and is doubtful for Game 4. Gibson had nine crucial points in Cleveland's win.

LeBron James might have deferred to his teammates one too many times. James drove and dished to Donyell Marshall who missed a wide-open a three-pointer with 5.9 seconds left that allowed the Pistons to escape with a 79-76 victory over the Cavaliers on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Their composure threatened to buckle. In the end, it wouldn't break. The Detroit Pistons didn't like the calls Thursday, they were frustrated with their opponent and they were peeved to be playing a Game 6 after staking a 3-0 series lead in the first place.